Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint

Urban Decay's Afterglow Cheek Tint is packaged in a stylish and portable compact

Written by: Katherine Chen

I am, sadly, not a natural blusher unless I’m in an extremely embarrassing situation. Thanks to Urban Decay’s Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint, however, I can attain a healthy blush without needing to trip over a curb or drop all of my groceries. The Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint is an easy-to-use and sheer blush that looks natural on all skin tones and is a must-have for anyone who uses makeup.

Though many people think that blush is too dramatic for everyday use, the Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint is subtle and really adds extra flair to an outfit or look. It is intended to be used “effortlessly on top of any foundation or bare skin.” But what sets this product apart is that it is not a true blush—because it is a tint, you can use as much or as little as you want to get the right color effect. I usually apply only a little bit for work or casual lunch or dinner dates, but I’ll deepen the color by applying an extra layer for a formal dinner. The formula is creamy but not thick, so it will not flake or cake onto your skin and the color stays fresh for hours. In my experience, I typically do not reapply the blush unless I have been dancing a lot and working up a sweat!

The Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint is probably one of the best blushes on the market. Because you can build the color to any intensity, it is versatile enough for an occasion. And speaking from experience, all of the colors are suitable for any skin tone. It is also extremely easy to apply—in fact, I usually only use my fingers to blend it onto my cheeks. You can, of course, use a blush brush or sponge, but the tint washes off fingers easily. The most unique feature of this blush, however, is that it can be used on your cheeks, lips, or eyes! This tint is pure pigment, so it can be used anywhere on the face—I wear it on both my cheeks and lips. It eliminates a step in my makeup routine, and I also have to carry around one less product for touch-ups!

Summary of Pros:

Subtle color that can be built up in intensity according to one’s preferences

Great color palette that works on any skin tone

Easy to apply with fingers

Pure pigment that can be worn on cheeks, lips, and eyes

Has vitamins A, C, and E to help moisturize skin

Long-lasting formula

Since the Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint is not a typical powder or cream blush, some people might not like the sheer look or the need to build up color intensity. I would not recommend this blush for people who like the look of powder or cream blushes, since it appears more transparent on the skin than those types of blushes.

Summary of Cons:

May be too sheer for those who like powder or cream blushes

For cream or powder blush alternatives, you can’t go wrong with NARS powder blush or Benefit’s Dandelion or Dallas blushes. Unfortunately, Urban Decay does not carry cream or powder blushes—but any of the Afterglow Cheek Tint colors look great, especially Bang (bright orange, but don’t be scared by the intense color of the packaging!) and Indecent (peach).

Overall, the Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint is a great blush to own, especially since it doubles as a lip tint or eye shadow. It is easy to apply, can be adjusted in intensity, and stays on nicely unless you really work up a sweat. This product would be a fun and cost-effective addition to anyone’s makeup bag.